Sniper Elite: One Way Trip

A Novel

By: Scott McEwen, Thomas Koloniar

Narrated by: Brian Hutchison

From the coauthor of the number-one New York Times best-selling American Sniper, this "inspired by true events" thriller follows one of America’s most lethal snipers as he leads the rescue of a downed female Special Ops pilot.

The President of the United States can’t decide how to respond to a classified video showing the Taliban’s brutal treatment of their captive - a female helicopter pilot of the Army’s elite Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Afraid that a botched rescue will further destabilize foreign policy and end his presidency, the Commander-in-Chief falters. But when the Special Ops community learns that one of their own is being tortured and will almost certainly be killed, no executive order will stop them from attempting a rescue mission.

In direct defiance of the President’s orders, Navy SEAL sniper Gil Shannon launches an audacious mission with the support of elite soldiers and an enigmatic government figure, to infiltrate the tribal faction holding the captured pilot. A pulse-pounding battle ensues, pitching the entire force of the Taliban against the fearless and heroic American sniper. Packed with blistering action and real-life combat scenes, Sniper Elite: One Way Trip will pin you to the edge of your seat until the very last sentence.

©2013 Scott McEwen & Thomas Koloniar (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

One of the best book I have encountered this year.

This book kept me engaged from start to finish. Some may be turned off by the level of violence depicted, but none of it was inappropriate given the book largely follows the adventure of a navy seal sniper.

The book is quite a trip, I must disagree with a few of the other reviewers when they say the author is nearly as good a Clancy. In my opinion he is far better.

If the publisher is monitoring these reviews, please note I am keen for more audio books from these authors. I will be checking back periodically to see if they have any new books.

The narrator Brian Hutchison, is quite good. He has a pleasant voice and if he worked a little more on his pacing and character voices he could be one of the very best. I would be happy to hear him again.

Hard to categorize in the genre.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an odd book, although a familiar genre. It deals with many of the same subjects as novels by Coes, and Flynn, and others but not from the POV of an necessarily heroic character. Yes, it's about a Navy Seal, but not a Ramboesque muscles bulging superman. It's the first I've read that described them as they really are, efficient, ruthless, focused to an inhuman degree, and rather taciturn about what it is they do. Not a Charlie Sheen fool. The concept of 'the hero' is almost a joke to them, although they do things civilians would label heroic almost as a matter of course, daily.The story has a lot of common elements seen in other 'sniper tales', but related as it might happen. You get a real sense of the sense of dread they have about some things they are asked to do, and yet do anyway. It reveals to me at least, some insight to the behavior, personal discipline and outlook of Seals I've known in civilian life over the years. Remarkable men, but men nonetheless.Spectacular and interesting book, read extremely well.

Top Special Ops story. 5x5 on stars!

Where does Sniper Elite: One Way Trip rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

SE is one of the best special ops book that I have heard, so far. Scott McEwen and Thomas Kolonair tell the story so realistically that I could easily visualize every pulse-pounding fighting scene as though I was there (but, glad that I wasn't!). The language is perfect - just how I imagine warriors speaking to one another. EXCELLENT LISTEN!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Master Chief Steelyard. Gritty old warrior with a good heart.

What does Brian Hutchison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Brian did an excellent job of narrating this story. The mastery that he had over the personalities of the various characters made this story very believable and exceptionally enjoyable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the President declared Winchester. No spoiler. You'll have to listen to understand.

Hard to stop listening to

What about Brian Hutchison’s performance did you like?

I had read a few reviews that he possibly "over-acted", but I strongly disagree. He was great and had various voices down pat. One of the better narrators

Any additional comments?

If you like this kind of genre, then you will like this.Personally I usually stick to true military audiobooks, especially WW2. But this book was very entertaining. If I wouldn't have already known, I would have thought this was a true story. Very realistic. The author definitely did his homework. Enjoy

The best!

This is one of those books or you just can't put down. One that will take you until two or 3 o'clock in the morning!

A 4.5 star story, with an average narrator.

I loved the story here. The narrator, for me was average holding the same time, cadence, and volume for the epic climax battle as he does for the meeting room briefing.

Great story

I listen to at least 3 to 4 audiobooks a month this one is one of the best I’ve ever heard great job guys keep up the good work!

Excellent Book

What did you love best about Sniper Elite: One Way Trip?

Good background. Accurate technical details. One of my grips with this type of book is that many authors tell a good story, but say something inaccurate about the equipment or weapons. To me, that is like an orchestra hitting a flat note -- total turn off. This author sounds like he has a good knowledge of the equipment. I heard no mistakes.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. Not many slow areas. Fast paced.

What does Brian Hutchison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Brian offers realistic voices for different characters. Easy to discern the character, but not sounding silly.,

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It might the too long for one sitting. But, I could not wait to get back to it.

Any additional comments?

This genre too often makes the character into superman -- fly multiple time zones, HALO in, kill all the bad guys, Do it again tomorrow, and never sleep or take a shower and be ready for a martini with the heroine he rescued by 7:00PM. We experience a more realistic pace. People get wounded, they heal. They fight and die. But, not all at once.I look forward to the next book.

Special Ops at its finest

Where does Sniper Elite: One Way Trip rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best I have listened to so far.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gil of course, he is the epitome of what the SEALs and Special Ops community strives for.

Which character – as performed by Brian Hutchison – was your favorite?

Gil

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The final exchange between Gil and his wife, and the feelings I had as a member of the Special Ops community when Sandra was tortured. Gils wife is the kind of woman that every Spec Ops Operator wants and needs. Her support when he is in the field and the fire ignited when you are at home together, soaking up the time you spend with one another.

Any additional comments?

Unfortunate that the President is portrayed as such a WUSSY and a Back Stabbing Prick...kinda like our current President who has NO RESPECT for the Armed Services. (Great portrayal of the character) Dated 3/1/2016 when Obama is the current President.

great

It was great and so believable I couldn't believe it. The story was eventful and kept me listening.